New degree programme for intelligent, safe & sustainable AI solutions

Eisenstadt, 29 April 2025 - AI has been on everyone's lips for years and is here to stay. The new Master's degree programme*⁾ AI Solution Engineering, which will start at the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland in Eisenstadt in autumn, prepares students for current and future challenges and developments. The university is thus deliberately strengthening its expertise in the fields of computer science, digitalisation and artificial intelligence and aims to make an effective contribution to meeting the demand for skilled workers in industry and institutions.

New head of degree programme with extensive expertise

Automation technology expert Gernot Steindl has been appointed as the new director of the degree programme. In recent years, he has conducted intensive research at the Vienna University of Technology in the field of semantic technologies to improve the interoperability, transparency and intelligence of industrial automation systems and has already shared his experience as an external lecturer at the Burgenland University of Applied Sciences. He contributes expertise in the field of digital transformation in various domains.

Students will learn how systems can be adaptive, adaptable, autonomous and safe. The safety aspect includes cyber security as well as functional safety - keyword autonomous vehicles. "The explainability and transparency of AI solutions will also play an important role in this new training programme," says Steindl. "It is important to understand how the systems come to their decisions in order to increase users' trust in them. This is by no means trivial."

People and technology are at the centre

Teaching and research in the new degree programme will also focus on the challenge of making systems more sustainable in use. However, it is also about social sustainability, emphasises Steindl. People are always at the centre.

With this in mind, the next step is to utilise the university's national and international network, as well as that of the new course director, in order to put together an ideal teaching team. The approach of research-led teaching is a key aspect of this. Students will be able to participate in ongoing R&D projects through project work during their studies.

Who can apply?

The application deadline for the new Master's degree programme is 31 May 2025, after which it may still be possible to apply for remaining places. Students can expect a practice-orientated, two-year course without tuition fees in the family environment of Burgenland University of Applied Sciences. In the first semester, students are taught the basics, followed by specialisation options and the opportunity to work on problems from their own professional field in a team at the university.

A curiosity to look behind the scenes of the systems, a basic technical understanding, basic programming skills and analytical thinking are required.

Facts about the degree programme

Master's programme - 4 semesters; Academic degree: Master of Science in Engineering - MSc; Organisational form: part-time (usually every fortnight Friday 14.00 to 21.00 and Saturday from 8.30 to 17.15, plus two attendance blocks per semester Thu - Sat all day), 30 % distance learning; Study places: 25; Study location: 7000 Eisenstadt, Campus 1; Language: primarily German (individual courses are held in English); Tuition fees: none.

Information and enrolment at www.hochschule-burgenland.at.

*) subject to approval by the Agency for Quality Assurance (AQ Austria)

Further enquiry:

Mag.a Christiane Staab │ Marketing and Communication │ University of Applied Sciences Burgenland GmbH │ Tel: +43 (0)5 7705 3537 │ E-Mail: christiane.staab(at)hochschule-burgenland.at